Method of selecting which base station of those in dedicated channel connection with a mobile user terminal is to be in shared channel connection with the mobile user terminal, and a corresponding network for mobile telecommunications

Abstract

A method is provided of selecting which base station of those in dedicated channel connection with a mobile user terminal is to be in shared channel connection with the mobile user terminal. Measurements of signal attenuation between the mobile user terminal and each base station being made, the base station being selected dependent upon the measured signal attenuations.

1 . A method of selecting at least one base station in dedicated channel connection with a mobile user terminal is to be in shared channel connection with the mobile user terminal, measurements of signal attenuation between the mobile user terminal and each base station being made, the base station being selected dependent upon the measured signal attenuations.  
     
     
         2 . The method according to  claim 1 , in which if one of the base stations has the lowest measured signal attenuation by a predetermined margin, that base station is selected.  
     
     
         3 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein measurements of downlink signal to interference ratio between the mobile user terminal and each of the base stations are made, the base station being selected dependent upon the measured signal to interference ratios.  
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 3 , in which if more than one base station has a measured signal attenuation which is acceptably low, if one of those base stations has the highest measured signal to interference ratio by a predetermined margin, that base station is selected.  
     
     
         5 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein measurements of uplink and downlink power loading between the mobile user terminal and each of the base stations are made, the base station being selected dependent upon the combined uplink and downlink measured power loadings for each base station.  
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 5 , wherein if more than one base station has a measured signal attenuation which is acceptably low and a measured signal to interference ratio which is acceptably high, if one of those base stations is determined as having the lowest combined uplink and downlink power loading by a predetermined margin, that base station is selected.  
     
     
         7 . A method according to  claim 1 , wherein measurements of traffic loading on the shared channel of each of the base stations are made, the base station being selected dependent upon the measured traffic loadings.  
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 7 , wherein if more than one base station has a measured signal attenuation which is acceptably low, a measured signal to interference ratio which is acceptably high, and a combined uplink and downlink power loading which is acceptably low, of those base stations the base station having the lowest measured traffic loading is selected.  
     
     
         9 . A network for mobile telecommunications comprising a plurality of base stations connected to a base station controller, the controller being operative to select which base station of those in dedicated channel connection with a mobile user terminal is to be in shared channel connection with the mobile user terminal, the mobile user terminal being operative to measure signal attenuation from each base station, the measured signal attenuations being reported to the controller, the controller being operative to select the base station dependent upon the measured signal attenuations.  
     
     
         10 . A network according to  claim 9 , wherein the controller is operative to determine whether one of the base stations has the lowest measured signal attenuation by a predetermined margin, and if so, the controller is operative to select that base station.